Why Shiva Is Called Destroyer

Why Shiva is called Destroyer

In the Vedic scriptures, the Trinity have their particular attributes; Lord Brahma for Creation, Lord Vishnu for Maintenance and Lord Shiva for Destruction. At the end of every Yuga, there’s a great annihilation that occurs through the various energies emanating from Shiva.

However, the greatest annihilation is not that of matter but the degradation of one’s self or soul. In the Shrimad Bhagvatam (4.8.2-4), it is mentioned that all the immoral qualities such as irreligion, falsity, bluffing, cheating, greed, cunningness, anger, ego, envy, fear, pain and hell are the causes of devastation; they originate from Lord Brahma. These qualities degrade the soul as confirmed in the Bhagavad Gita (16.21)

‘tri-vidham narakasyedam dvaram nashanam aatmanaḥ,
kamaḥ krodhas tathaa lobhas tasmaad etat trayam tyajet’

‘There are three gates leading to this hell – lust, anger and greed . Every sane man should give these up, for they lead to the degradation of the soul.’

Lord Shiva destroys these qualities that hold the sane from approaching Him. He is the Destroyer of both; evil qualities and the cosmic creations when the vice on earthly planets suppress the Divinity.